The 'Umm newbie'/ 'Thread maxed out' lovely ladies!

[mrshjb]

Hey everyone, as discussed here is our brand spanking new antenatal club thread! I thought I'd start with the stat's....

Kiki- due 23rd September
Weebairn- due 30th September
Binky- due 10th October
Misskgb- due 8th November
Ladymillion- due 11th November
Lolly- due 28th November
Chillychicken- due 10th December
mrshjb- due 28th January (awaiting confirmation of date from first scan)

Awaiting update:
mrsb87
Gennz

lady that all sounds very scary. Must have been a big relief to find out that it definitely wasn't early labour. It's a completely different situation but because my sister went into labour at 27 weeks she's been told about how you could have a stitch in your cervix to keep it closed. Might be something to ask about? Although I don't know if there is a cut off point when you can have it. Thought I'd mention it anyways.

binky hope you're feeling better now. The heat is an absolute killer isn't it and I'm guessing it's easier for me at an early stage than for you. When's your sister's wedding?!

misskgb sounds like you've got an exciteable little one! When did you all feel the first kicks?

Thanks for the comments on the scan pics, it is really amazing how much it's changed in just 2 weeks :)

Well I've had a really crappy weekend. Saw my niece on Thursday and they've all had norovirus or something alike the week before but thought they wouldn't be infectious by now. How wrong I was!! Started with horrendous stomach cramps on Friday night and I thought it was the burgers we'd had for tea. But then threw up, felt like I had flu and also was running to the loo all night. Been feeling absolutely horrific and couldn't eat anything yesterday. Felt so guilty but every time I tried I felt so sick. Managed to drink and took my vitamin so that was something. Feel slightly more human today but definitely need another day of rest. Must be from having a weaker immune system, I haven't been sick in about 5/6 years. Nasty business!

lady I'm glad there is nothing seriously wrong. A slight reassurance but still in the back of your mind I guess.

Oh no h! I hope you feel better soon. D+v is nasty when your not preggers! You must feel horrid.

I've been having the worst sleep. Brixton hicks plus heartburn plus just generally bloody uncomfortable. I saw most of last night through and now feel like a zombie. Just had a coffee so I'm hoping that will give me a kick up the arse!

H-week 16 I thought I felt her n week 17 she did a somersault but first big kick was 18 weeks

Oh the heartburn mrsb!! Anyone know a cure for that? !

I've heard a few people have got d&v....im politely declining to visit them!!

mrsb I'm eating Tescos indigistion tablets like they are sweets hate heartburn but these seem to give me a temporary respite!

H hope you're feeling better? D+v is horrible at the best of times! my sister's wedding is in 4 weeks time just baked her trial cake. Had a bit of a teary melt down as my back just hurts too much to be making cake!

No more d&v but still feeling a bit tired and rubbish afterwards. Had a massive breakdown to DH last night about how much I hate being pregnant. Felt so guilty because I know it's so worth it to have a baby but that thought isn't getting me through the day. Maybe when baby is a he or a she and I can feel them move etc it might be better. Like a constant reminder that they're there in a good way. If this is massively naive please don't shatter the illusion for me, I really need something to help me through!!!

Sorry for the selfish post, hope you're all doing ok :)

No need to appologise h I'm not exactly enjoying pregnancy either. I'm just a big moody moo recently and I just can't dig myself out of the rut! What with the heat, really sore hips this week, no sleep etc etc it's really getting to me.

Only 4 weeks of work left...Thank goodness for that!

Yeah the heat is a massive killer isn't it and I bet it's so much worse for you. I know what you mean about being moody, DH likes to have his hand on my leg or feet or something whilst we watch tv and the second time he did it last night I nearly kicked him in the face. Poor man!

If I was you I would be counting down the days now! What's your due date again? Can never remember because it's not on the top bit!

I cried a lot last night, for no reason. Luckily DH was very understanding and gave me a big cuddle, cooked dinner and did what he can to make me smile again. Blumming hormones!

I remember days when I questioned is it all worth it and as much as I hate to admit it, they were there at times. Knowing it's a she definitely helps, even on days when I can't feel her move, I like to talk to her and I think it helps DH too. Keep going, I promise it does get easier.

I'm finding every couple of days atm underneath my bump gets tight and stretchy. She's started sitting on my bladder or making me feel very gassy indeed and it's rather uncomfortable. But it doesn't usually last long. It won't be long until I'm hitting the third trimester and I hear it's another unpleasant one! :-(

Hi ladies, an update since Saturday... Went home after the visit to the labour ward and continued to be in considerable pain through to Sunday (where all I could do was lay in bed barely able to get up and go to the toilet). Called the labour ward again Sunday evening to say that paracetamol wasn't working and was there anything else they could suggest and the lady was very blunt with me on the phone saying, nothing could be offered over the phone so if I really wanted to come in again I could, but basically it'd be futile as I had a negative swab to rule out preterm labour etc etc. basically I felt like I was being brushed off as a drama queen or something. So I said to my partner, I'm not going in (one of the midwives was VERY rude to me on the Saturday as well!! She made me cry! Honestly, I'm not a sensitive soul, just manage to come across some nasty people who've obviously been in their job for far too long to care about anyone!). I told my partner I'd wait until morning and phone my midwife instead.
Anyway 4am and I was having constant contractions with about 20 seconds relief between each one, was in absolute agony. My partner was awake with me and I told him I'd have to go, I couldn't take it anymore. So he drove me to the labour ward where we waited in reception for about half an hour, me, rocking and sweating from the pain and exhaustion of not having slept, my partner rubbing my back wondering what the hell was going on with me...

When we were taken in I was pleasantly surprised to have had the loveliest young midwife, she was the nicest person i'd spoke to during this whole thing. I explained what happened and the registrar then did another examination of my cervix and yet another swab for preterm labour. This time she said my cervix was slightly open as she could she see something starting to come away from the opening! It looked like membranes she said. Well, I fell apart and don't remember much more of the conversation. I did ask them if the swab was still negative, and they said it was, which was confusing as the tests are so reliable. Therefore if my membranes were coming away from the cervix these tests would show positive for early labour.

I was inconsolable - my partner was trying to calm me down, telling me we didn't know the whole story yet etc... My brain was filled with images of extremely premature babies hooked up to tubes and fighting for life in hospital for months on end.
I was advised that seeing as I was only 25 weeks I'd be transferred to another hospital as mine only dealt with babies from 27 weeks gestation and if I were to give birth I'd be better off there were I could be with my baby rather than him being whisked off to the unit after the birth without me. At this point I was panicking and just kept thinking 'is this a nightmare?'

So they then told me they'd hook me up to a drip which was hormones to try to stop the contractions (doesn't work for everyone, they warned, if your body wants to go into labour it will). They also gave me one steroid injection in my bum which was THE most painful injection I've ever had! This was to help to mature the baby's lungs. I then had to wait for the consultant to come on shift to make the decision about transferring me. A few hours later the drip was working great and the pain was subsiding, contractions were bearable and further apart. Consultant examined me again and said 'there's been no change, and to me it looks like the mucus plug rather than membranes, so you're safe to be transferred without the fear of you going into labour in the ambulance' I clung onto this news as she explained that many women lose their mucus plug and it can reform.
So I was taken to Birmingham women's hospital where I was greeted by the most wonderful staff. They took me to the delivery suite and were absolutely lovely. They stopped the drip I was on and said they'd give me tablets in a few hours (tablets do the same job as the drip but a cheaper drug - good old NHS haha!). The tabs made me feel horribly drunk and lightheaded but I was just grateful not to be in pain. Their consultant examined me and confirmed the cervix was in intact and it was indeed the mucus plug! To say I was relieved is an understatement! She said the contractions may well be caused by an irritable uterus, as suggested previously and that the contractions may well have dislodged or disturbed the mucus plug. They felt it was safe to move me to a ward and there they monitored me and sent me for a growth scan. The growth scan revealed the baby is on the bigger side and I have an elevated volume of amniotic fluid. The doctors this morning said that this is fairly common and means I may have gestational diabetes (which I've just had a blood test for) but could also be harmless. They want to keep me in for another night to monitor my pains (I'm currently in no pain at all which is great) and then hopefully I can be discharged back home tomorrow! Or at least to my local hospital. My partner is so relieved, I'm just waiting for him to come and see me, he's staying at a local travel lodge bless him!

Hoping the drama is over for a while now and that baby boy stays put for AT LEAST a few more weeks come onnnnnn! Every day is a bonus now!

Hey everyone. Wow I have read all the thread since I had my hol but can't remember everything so just want to send you all my love.

Lady what a journey you are going through. I hope you and baby are ok. Sounds like your in the best ok ace and done the right thing. Can't believe how you have been treated. Glad you found some nicer midwives. I find some are lovely and some are not but in your instant you do need someone that's going to listen, keeping everything crossed for you. Sounds like you have a strong little man in there.

Helen hope you are ok too. Like misskgb says it does get better. I have not went through the same but feel as time goes on things do get better. I find myself randomly bursting out crying for no or little reason. I cried on Sunday morning cos I was just so tired and hubby dealt with me great. Lucky to have him really. I am guessing you are going to have a girl- just have the pink feeling for you. (Prob wrong though) glad your scan went well.

Had a fab 2 weeks of in Jersey and in Spain. Wanted to squeeze in a visit to Scotland to see my family but was far too tired. Didn't see Chilly lol. Only seen one pregnant lady and she was Spanish lol. Lots of developments on hol... Got a fully fledged bump, done lots of exercise and can feel baby moving lots and lots (I am 22 weeks). I thought I had wind at first but feeling it throughout the day for days realised its baby moving around. Apparently having an anterior placenta means you can't feel kicks until this stage for anyone else on the same boat. Me and Hubby laughed lots and chatted lots and had another realisation we don't do that enough at home. We had just got stuck in work routine. A much needed hol. Sorry for going on, just wanted to share.

I know I have not mentioned everyone but really am thinking of you all and missed this thread whilst I was away xxx

Thanks for the advice misskgb, I really did feel like the worst person in the world saying how much I hated being pregnant so it's nice to know that I'm not alone!

Wow Lady that sounds so awful and traumatic. You seriously didn't need any attitude from horrible midwives did you. Really glad to hear that everything seems to be looking good now. My sister and a friend who had her baby 5 weeks early both said how painful the bum injection was! Are you going to be signed off work to rest for a bit? So do you reckon you've had a taster of what labour is going to be like?! Hope you're home or closer to home soon.

Lolly glad you had a good holiday :) Shame you didn't see Chilly haha! How exciting that you're feeling decent kicks now. Good for you doing a decent amount of exercise too! How did you cope with the heat? Spending time with DH sounds lovely, especially when you're not going to be a alone for a long time in a few months! Oh I so can't wait to find out what I'm having. I'll let you know if your feeling is right!!

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who cries all the time for nothing! It really is reassuring to have this thread :) xx

Ah thanks Helen. Was fine in the heat as was air con in my room, a very cold pool when I was sunbathing and any restaurant we went in had air con. I have found it hard being back when it's been hot as there is hardly any air con and obvs no pool! Horrid!!

Oh your defo not alone on the crying thing! The first two nights of all hol I was in floods of tears and I don't know why! At the time I think I was feeling guilty that I wasn't partying with hubby like we always have done on hol. He wasn't bothered at all he was enjoying the chilling out. It's all good! X

Hello everyone

Lady wow you poor thing, what a story, puts all our standard pregnancy whinges into perspective! So very glad to hear that cervix is shut and no baby is coming yet. Really hope you can be discharged today and that all stays stable for at least another few weeks and preferably much longer.

helen I haven't yet said congratulations on your scan(s) and how wonderful we are all in the 2nd trimester now! Also I think it IS easier when you have a bump and when there are movements, though second half of pregnancy is tough in other ways, there is at least the acknowledgement from others that you are pregnant, the sickness and the secrecy at the beginning is awful. Wolf cub kicks CONSTANTLY and it's very reassuring, I don't think I've worried about him/her once since about 17 weeks.

I fucking hate being pregnant, for the record! We are probably only going to have two (well 3 isn't impossible, but I think 2 more likely) so if all goes well this christmas I can drink a big drink to never having to be pregnant again!! And the heat isn't helping! Not to mention D&V - I had it too a week ago, only for a day thankfully but I felt so sorry for myself!

lolly so glad you had a nice holiday, sounds blissful.

My life continues to be manic. Roll on maternity leave!! I am 31 weeks now. Work is still mental and likely to get more mental until the end (I'm stopping at 36 weeks - if I make it that far). I am asking to get off the long shifts now so I never have to work more than 8 hours in a shift. But it is still mental. Sigh. It makes me really anxious…

Toddler is not sleeping brilliantly (teething and heat) - arrrgh this makes me worry so much for when baby is here! My boyfriend does all the night work though, I'm very lucky. Don't listen to my woes all your babies will sleep through the night from 6 months I'm sure

I am collecting a few baby things like teeny newborn nappies and I guess will need to start thinking about a hospital bag soon, eek! Though I am probably having a home birth again. I wanted to do some sewing for the new baba but I'm too tiiiiired. Maybe once I stop work.

I am failing to exercise. My bump is very heavy. I think I am smaller than last time round though, not my bump but the rest of me. But I am a different shape this time round so all my mat gear from last time looks a bit weird. I think my bump is higher.

Also we are buying a house!! This was next year's plan but the exact house I wanted came on the market just a week or two ago and we weighed it up and decided we would forever regret it if we didn't go for it. So we are in first time buyer stress as well and will probably be moving house if all goes through about… 4 weeks after baby is here! ARRGH! Well last time I found the newborn stage MUCH easier than the heavily pregnant bit so I'm clinging to that. And it is a beautiful house with a massive shared garden and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a new build so everything will work perfectly, best location ever 2 mins walk from boyfriend's work so he will be home at 5.05pm every day when I'm on mat leave thank god ... we are getting a bit squished in my 2 bed flat.

That was far too long, sorry!! Take care lovely ladies. Off to work with me to try and not keel over!

The crying is linked to exhaustion and frustration. The fact I can't do my usual amount during the day is getting me down!

haha weeb you make me giggle. I've heard a few people who have moved house either pregnant or just after and the majority has to rule that it was easier after. One friend sat her 7 month old in the high chair on the front garden whilst she packed the van up. The pushchair will work the same for you!

Lady- really hope things get better for you from here. I've got everything crossed for little one to stay put!

mrsb keep going- you're doing good!!! I went for a walk with DH last night and was so out of breath it's ridiculous! I've noticed bump is getting bigger each day which brings its own issues but definitely getting more difficult to carry her. Knowing you're doing it helps us who are behind you to keep going!!!

Last night rice krispie did not stop fidgeting. She was kicking away as I fell sleep and DH felt every one, and for the first time some kicks in his back. It was difficult to nod off. Not because of her, but because he giggled every time she kicked him!!! She was at it again this morning before I'd even woken up. I love sharing this with him! Sorry- soppy moment done!!

Oh my goodness Lady that's quite a start to the week you had. Hope you're home soon and can rest a bit!

Lolly I bet Jersey was lovely! Did you feel the earthquakes they've been having?

Just one more 5 day week then I'm down to a 4 day, 3 day and 2 x 2 day weeks . Not that I'm counting... (19 working days )

Hello!

No, I didn't bump into Lolly lol Did have a lovely time though, sounds like you did too Lolly We didn't really do much - wandered around a bit, stopped off at bars and restaurants, had afternoon naps and best of all we spent every night sat on our balcony overlooking the marina just chatting. Was lovely. One of the best breaks I've had in a while.

Thinking of booking a short break to Jersey or France for next month too.

Lady I'm sat here open-mouthed! You're going through so much. Hope you're ok and baby boy stays put!

Hope everyone else is ok, I have read back but my brain is frazzled and I'm exhausted today.

21+3 now. 20 week scan went well, all seems fine with baby. Didn't find out the sex. Sonographer did comment "you've got a little minx here!" which has made me think it's a girl but we'll see I've been having movement since around 15+4 but in the last week it's turned from flutters to full on kicks and movements. I have a very active one definitely doesn't take after mummy! and every single time I feel a movement or a kick, I giggle. It's just a fab feeling. I don't think it'll be long before DH is able to feel them.

Of course, this brings a whole new level of worry. "I haven't felt any movement for an hour Sob, sob, sob." Luckily, baby is quite predictable and I only need to lay on my left side for baby to start kicking.

I'm struggling with the hormones. I've got it in my head that DH is going to cheat on me with a friends sister. She's made it clear (well I think she has) that she fancies him and at Christmas I walked into the pub to find her pretty much pressed up against him and it now appears she was holding his hand. I'm fixated on this and can't get over it. I don't know why he didn't pull away (probably because she had literally just grabbed it before I walked in) and it's got to the point that I made him cry by going on and on about it last night We have 2 social events coming up next month and she'll be at both of them. I won't be drinking, obviously and I've convinced myself that at the 2nd event, they'll both be hideously drunk (they will) and something will happen despite DH constantly saying nothing has or would ever happen.

I'm not sleeping at the moment - too hot or it's too noisy or I need a wee and I can barely concentrate at work. Today I've not stopped crying. It's all getting very hard to deal with. DH can't understand why I'm miserable as he's really happy that I'm pregnant and he thought I would be too. I am happy, really happy, I just can't seem to show it. I have no energy, I can't be bothered to do anything, I'm behind with work.

Ugh. Sorry. I didn't mean to type all that, I know there are plenty of others having a worse time of it, I just can't seem to snap out of this.

chilly being pregnant does make you an emotional wreck. So everything you are feeling is probably heightened compared to how you would normally feel about stuff. All you can do is trust him and he needs to understand how pregnancy effects you emotionally. I cried today because I missed my 31wk midwife appointment. Stupid thing to cry over as it wasn't a problem to remake it .
I'm generally not a Crier, my dh thinks my heart is stone because I didn't cry watching toy story 3! These days I'm a blubbering mess.

we're a right bunch aren't we!! No wonder our men can't understand us when we don't even understand ourselves. I'm giggling at all our woes (makes a change from crying hey!)

chilly I've woken up several times over the past few nights convinced my hubby is cheating on me with some girl from work. I know deep down they're just friends but it won't leave my head and it's worse when I wake up dreaming about it. He knows when I've had THAT dream as I'm off with him or really quiet in the morning!! He's really nice to me and tries to make me smile but then I go into overdrive and I think he's covering up!!! They've got not chance really have they?!

binky what's your due date?

Crying is definitely normal either that or we're all as mad as each other! I have cried most nights as I can't sleep and have been putting in 11 / 12 hour days at work.

Chilly your holiday sounds lovely wish we could have got away abroad this year but still got my sister's wedding which will be a kind of holiday. Spending a night camping in the Lake District on the way home which I'm really looking forward to!

My due date is 10 October so just 10 weeks to go .

Weebairn congratulations on the house buying! Sounds absolutely lovely. You're a brave woman moving with a newborn, but seen as it's your second I'll presume you're an absolute pro and will breeze through it!! Hope work hasn't been too horrendous. "Home birth again"?! I didn't know you'd had a home birth with the first one?! How was it?

Chilly your holiday sounds fantastic and how nice to be now feeling proper kicks :) Glad your scan went well, bit bad of the sonographer if they did give you a massive hint but you won't know until you give birth so it'll still be a surprise either way!!! The hormones situation doesn't sound particularly good though. Sounds like your rational mind knows that DH wouldn't cheat on you, but your crazy pregnant mind is making you doubt it. Now you've had it out with him and properly voiced your concerns, maybe it would be best to discuss it with other female friends who would understand the crazy mind rather than risking it becoming a problem between the two of you? I think men can listen to you say just how crazy being pregnant makes you, but they don't get it like a female friend would! I hope you manage to reassure yourself anyway :)

Haha your absolutely right misskgb. I saw a really funny thread on the pregnancy section which was listing all the things that people hate about pregnancy. I was literally crying laughing at some of them, my favourite being something about hating DH on a tri-weekly basis for no reason!!! It's so true!

In good news I've felt semi human for the first time in weeks today, woohoo!! I did have a brief moment of 'oh no what if this means it's gone wrong', but I have erased this thought because since my first scan I am no longer a pregnancy worrier. I am having a baby in January and everything will be fine....!!

Thanks helen! I have no idea how the move will work. I will sit on a sofa clutching baby and make other people move things. Haha.

My home birth was really good. I found it quite tough and long but I think it was better for being at home. My midwives (you get 2 at a home birth, all to yourself) were older and very calm and experienced. They mostly just let me get on with it. It was nice not having to get myself to hospital, and to have all the comforts of home, and my boyfriend was more helpful and involved than I think he would have been in hospital. I gave birth on my sofa in the end. The 1st phase was quite long as I said (30 hours in total - maybe 12 of that very intense) but the pushing bit was short and easy and I had no problems, or tears.

I had a very easy time of breastfeeding compared to most people I know which I reckon is partly cause I was just lounging around in bed being very relaxed for the first few days after the birth. With proper food and baths :)

I had some gas and air (they bring it in canisters) which helped quite a bit initially, and I did have a birthing pool which our local hospital hires out for free but didn't use it very much.

I would really recommend it IF you have a low risk pregnancy AND you feel confident about the idea (no point being at home if you are anxious about it), but about half of first time mums who try for a home birth do have to go to hospital for one reason or another so it's worth bearing that in mind so you're not disappointed if that happens. I also live pretty close to the hospital so wasn't too worried about getting there if anything got complicated.

Anyway - hope that was helpful! Some of my friends thought I was nuts, but anyway.

Really glad you're feeling better!! Lots of people do around 12 weeks - nothing to worry about at all.

Oh chilly I really feel for you with the stupid hormones - I cry all the time for stupid reasons and am far more clingy with my boyfriend than I used to be. He takes it all in his stride, bless him…

If you made your DH cry he must be feeling terrible that you are so anxious and upset! I think you know deep down he would never do anything but it's awful when you feel so vulnerable. Look after yourself.

I can't sleep either. I feel brain-fuzzy and useless all day, and then awake most of the night, tossing and turning and weeing zillions of times.

You can be happy about the FACT that you're pregnant without being happy about being pregnant, cause let's face it, being pregnant is really really shit. I think I also read the thread mrsh did, it's brilliant.

here

Thanks for the home birthing story weebairn. Definitely sounds like it was the right choice for you. When do you decide officially what you want to do with this birth? I'm planning on the birthing centre attached to the hospital for the time being. Definitely not brave enough to attempt a home birth for my first one!! One born every minute shows me how little I really know about the whole labour process. Like what's the situation with giving birth to the placenta?!

Laughed my head off at "let's face it! being pregnant is really really shit!" I'm really hoping I'm over the first trimester hump now. 14+3 today. Got my next midwife appointment at 15+6 so I'm really excited about hearing the heartbeat. Then next scan is 19+6. Really helping me to have things to countdown too. Although I know I shouldn't be wishing my life away!!

Oh and my downs screening has come back low risk, 1 in 81403. Knew it would be low, but it's nice to see it in writing :)